A Sense of History
The ancients saw the gods in nature, never more so than in thinking about the harvest and all that accompanied it.
A Small Tribute To A Giant Mensch
My husband and I were honored to attend a Hachnassas Sefer Torah celebration this summer at our upstate summer home in Elm Shade Estates.
We have had a summer home for many years. We were always privileged to have a special, devoted friend take care of all the things that needed attention there - from ensuring that the grass was cut to keeping the shul spotless for Shabbos.
My Personal Shofar Blower
Rosh Hashanah memories take us to our shuls, homes and families. They remind us of promises made about how we would change our lives and rearrange our priorities. There may also be memories of the delicacies we ate when we were children – the chicken soup, gefilte fish and great desserts. And one sound, the sound of the shofar blasting away with its shrill notes of tekiah, shevarim... and finally the long, very last sound – the tekiah gedolah.
Our Preparation For Rosh Hashanah
The shofar blast is intended to wake them up and remember their Creator. The shofar can allow us to understand that Hashem is our melech.
Keeping Time With God
This story was told by Mrs. T., a woman in her 60s who I've known for three years. Mrs. T. attends my synagogue and sisterhood functions.
Over the years, Mrs. T. always appeared to be shy and tense. She rarely spoke and usually had worry lines between her eyes and around her mouth. When she and her family first moved to our neighborhood, her husband also attended synagogue. However, he suffered from a chronic illness that kept him home on many a Shabbat.
When The Time Was Right
When Jewish genealogical records became available online, his wife found the gravestones of his paternal great-grandfather and of the great-grandfather’s brother. Both tombstones clearly said “ha-Levi” on them!
The Power of Dreams
Joseph may have known ancient Egyptian traditions about seven-year famines.
Saving Precious Jewish Children
The trip took a bit longer than they expected, which put them a bit off schedule because in addition to wanting to get back to the kids, it was a Monday and that was when Yaakov, at eight o'clock, gave his class to the neighborhood kids.
Billionaires
“If you have children, you are a millionaire. And if all of your children have children, you are a billionaire.”
Early Shabbos Issues
If one made early Shabbos and postponed beginning the meal until after nightfall, he would be obligated to recite Shema prior to eating.
A True Story: My Teacher And Me
I felt that as a psychology teacher, who knows and teaches so much about human nature and emotions, to explode and get so angry was not the right thing to do.
Following A Dream
With no other choice in sight, David continued along his path until he finished high school without having any substantial plans for his future in mind.
Transcending Ego To Connect With The Infinite
The spiritual concept of intoxication is related to the theme of transcendence and the expansion of consciousness. Although done inappropriately, Nadav and Avihu were attempting to transcend their physical state and connect to Hashem on the deepest level.
Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer, zt”l, And The Gedolim
The technician was certain that the Rabbi intended to upbraid him personally for having caused him discomfort and for attempting to continue against his will. Rav Moshe, however, had something else in mind.
Mother Knows Best
I am just a small-town girl whose aspirations never included the notion of traveling to exotic places. I dreamed of getting married, raising a family, and living near my parents and in-laws.
Mysterious Waze
“Literally a few moments ago, while we were driving, a young boy pushed the emergency exit door of the bus by mistake and he fell out,” the driver continued.
The Deeper Side Of People-Watching
By noticing others, you are simply acknowledging that there are other people around you who have desires, lives, families, joys, aches, and hardships.
Why Is The Mabul Called ‘The Waters Of Noach’?
Noach was the tzaddik in a fur coat. He made sure to take care of himself, his wife and children. However, he did not take care of the world at large.
The Shabbos Salad That Hashem Sent
I sat on the couch, surrounded by loved ones, so, so grateful for the beautiful Shabbos we would celebrate together, our first family gathering in many months, inspired by the upcoming occasion of one of our grandson’s upsherin on motzei Shabbos.
Siyum HaRambam Stories (Part III)
I must admit that the simcha and tuv leivov (joy and gladness of heart) do not come that easily, if at all. Nevertheless, the directive of the Rebbe is to continue our mission with joy and with gladness of heart that baruch Hashem we are zoche to do what the Rebbe wants.
A People That Dwells Alone?
These are important fights, good fights, whose outcome will affect more than Jews.
The White Lie
Truthfulness is a fundamental value in Jewish yet truth isn't its highest value. Peace is. Why so?
All About Hair
In another famous Talmudic passage, the rabbis speak about taming the force of the Evil Inclination for idolatry, which took on the form of a lion made of fire.
The Beis HaMikdash: A Place Of Connection
Nowadays, we no longer have korbanos, as the world is in a lower spiritual state. How then do we maintain the connection between Hashem and this world? What replaced the korbanos?
The Rebbe’s Father’s Yahrzeit (Part II)
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana endured those heartbreaking days with exceptional strength and fortitude.
A Call From The Future
How did Abraham overcome the trauma and the grief? How do you survive almost losing your child and actually losing your life-partner, and still have the energy to keep going? What gave Abraham his resilience, his ability to survive, his spirit intact?
The Deeper Purpose Of Torah Wisdom
Every single thing that we see and experience in the physical world stems from the spiritual root – the transcendent dimension of Torah.
The Discourse That Explains The Purpose Of Creation
On 10 Shevat in 1951, the Rebbe officially accepted the mantle of leadership, and delivered a maamor that began with the same posuk, expounding upon his father-in-law’s discourse.
Out Of Control
Our most recent attempt at sending two greeting cards to our children in the USA proved to be a comedy of errors if ever there was one.
The Lulav: Prosecutor Or Defendant?
The thief took his advice and did so. Yet, when the official got up to speak, he informed the court of all the horrible things the highwayman did to him.